Comox Valley residents might see a few people jumping out of planes next month.
The Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue will be doing parachute training between April 2 and May 19. The training will have around 50 personnel participating and is one phase of an 11-month training program with the military.
Residents living near the drop zones might see or hear a Skyvan aircraft flying overhead and see parachutists jumping regularly.
The flights are scheduled to take place every 3.5 hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. The times of the drops may change as the weather varies. Health measures will also be enforced.
Forces Canada is asking residents to avoid the drop zones but you can come to watch and photograph the training as it takes place. They say all measures are being taken to minimize inconvenience for those living near the drop zones.
The students and search and rescue technicians are trained specialists who provide pre-hospital medical care and rescue for aviators, mariners and others in distress in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
They’re on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week with CFSSAR and 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron based at 19 Wing Comox.
